FATE OF A DREAMER

The opener Estranged starts with a beautiful and dynamic voice that twists eastern-tinged melodies around Mike Oldfield soundscapes. Ashes adds typical Ayreon sounds, heavy guitars and dramatic harmonies. Again the vocals of the 14 year old Astrid van der Veen are exceptionally strong and combine the best qualities of Tori Amos with those of Anneke Van Giersbergen.

High is a folksier tune that Ayreon used before on one of his earlier albums I believe. Celtic influences aplenty. Cold Metal is one of the few pieces that could be called 'metal', though the metal element is really faint, not much more then some slowly marching power chords. Fate adds another typical element of the Ayreon sound: Tangerine Dream sequences. It's a good instrumental, a tad too long maybe.

Sick Ceremony is the point where it all loses focus. The continuous slow pace maintained throughout the album inevitably makes your attention wander to whatever your cats are up to at that time. And believe me, they're sleeping again. Lost Message is another pleasant Celtic tune, but the album needed something else at this point. It's something that doesn't come anymore. Also Surreal and Sweet Little Brother don't offer anything refreshing.

People that don't like Ayreon shouldn't worry though. This is a project with just one lead singer, and quite a phenomenal one. Recommended for everybody for whom the combination of Stream of Passion with Tori Amos and an 80's Mike Oldfield polish sounds attractive. Too bad only half the album is good.

Share this AMBEON review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Bonnek
• Report this review (#252005)
• Buy AMBEON music online with PA partners
• Show all AMBEON MP3/Stream
• Go to AMBEON page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Fate Of A Dreamer page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for AMBEON related discussions